McCauley History
The McCauley story begins, appropriately enough, in
the birthplace of aviation, Dayton, Ohio. It was 1938 when Earnest
G. McCauley, a pioneer in the field of aerodynamics and holder of
numerous patents on controllable propellers, founded the McCauley
Aviation Corporation. In the still fledgling field of aviation, he
determined that propeller and engine compatibility was crucial to
achieving maximum efficiency and performance from an aircraft. McCauley
built his company around this fundamental, yet significant and essential
idea.
By 1946, the young company was already making dramatic
advances that would forever change the face of flight. With the introduction
of the first solid steel propeller, McCauley was building a reputation
as an industry innovator. During World War II, McCauley produced 20,000
conventional, ground-adjustable solid steel propellers, an amount
previously unheard of. McCauley's position as a leader in the field
was secured.
The company was purchased by Cessna Aircraft in 1960
and operated as a division of Cessna through the 1960's and early
1970's. During this time, the company pioneered a number of new products,
including constant speed and full-feathering propellers (both two-
and three-bladed). Cessna renamed the company in 1973, and McCauley
Accessory Division came into being.
In 1979, the company certified a three-blade full-feathering
and reversing turbo prop, followed by a four-blade model in 1983.
McCauley began producing five-blade turbo props in 1987, and followed
that with a revolutionary and tremendously successful STC propeller
line called "BLACKMAC." McCauley introduced a second generation, 1,650
s.hp., five-bladed propeller with scimitar-shaped blades for regional
airlines in 1992. In September 1996, the company was renamed McCauley
Propeller Systems in order to better promote McCauley products and
components.
Through years characterized by dynamic innovation
in propeller design and product line expansion (which included de-icing
systems, spinners and governors), one thing has remained constant
- our uncompromising standards of quality and performance excellence,
in our propellers and propeller components, and in our service to
our customers. McCauley continues to be a leader in both new OEM applications
and STC conversions. Today, we are the world's largest full-line propeller
manufacturer, with over 500 models available. Our propellers are FAA
certified as original equipment for aircraft built by Raytheon, British
Aerospace, Cessna, Fairchild, Grumman, Jetstream, Piper, Stoddard
Hamilton and many others. Our products also serve a wide range of
markets: military, agricultural and commuter airlines, as well as
personal and business aviation. Currently, McCauley propellers are
in the field on more than 250,000 aircraft around the world - a testimony
to our continuing commitment to excellence.
| 1938 |
First
ground-adjustable, solid-steel propeller
|
| 1946 |
First
forged aluminum propellers |
| 1953 |
First
McCauley two-blade constant speed propeller |
| 1957 |
McCauley spinners |
| 1960 |
Two-blade
constant, full-feathering propeller; alcohol de-ice system
|
| 1965 |
Three-blade constant speed propellers; three-blade
full feathering propellers; constant speed governors |
| 1967 |
Electric
de-ice systems
|
| 1970 |
Full feathering governors are introduced along
with unfeathering accumulators; single-piece hub design with threadless
blade retention |
| 1974 |
Synchrophasing
governors with mechanical activation |
| 1979 |
Three-blade propellers for high-speed turbine engines;
magnetic head synchrophasing control systems join the line |
| 1983 |
Four-blade
propeller for turbine engines used on corporate and regional airlines
|
| 1987 |
Five-blade
propellers used on corporate and regional airline turboprops |
| 1992 |
Second
generation, five-blade propellers with scimitar-shaped blades
for regional airlines
|
| 2003 |
McCauley
Propeller Systems moved its facilities to Wichita, KS and all
production to Columbus, GA |
